Ep 6. Slide Show with Biswa

Comicstaan is a 10-episode Indian web series where aspiring comedians from across the country come together to compete for the title of "India's next big comic sensation." Season 2 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and episode 6 is titled "Slide Show with Biswa."

In this episode, the six remaining contestants are tasked with performing a stand-up set based on a slide show they have not seen before. The twist? The slides have been created by Biswa Kalyan Rath, one of India's most popular comedians and an original judge on Comicstaan.

The episode opens with host Abish Mathew introducing the challenge and explaining the rules. Each contestant will have just a few minutes to look at the slides before taking the stage to perform. The slides range from text-heavy to image-heavy, with topics ranging from politics to pop culture to personal anecdotes. Some slides are intentionally vague, others are intentionally absurd, but all of them are designed to test the contestants' ability to improvise and create comedy on the fly.

Biswa himself joins the judging panel for this episode, sitting alongside regular judges Tanmay Bhat, Kanan Gill, Kenny Sebastian, and Kaneez Surka. As the contestants perform, the judges offer feedback on everything from their delivery to their timing to their overall comedic sensibility. There are moments of genuine laughter and moments of awkward silence, but the atmosphere remains light and supportive throughout.

One standout performer is Samay Raina, who uses the slides to riff on everything from dating apps to Indian mythology to his own insecurities as a comedian. Another is Akash Gaurav Singh, who uses his trademark deadpan delivery to great effect in a set about the futility of self-improvement. Other contestants like Aakash Gupta, Deepak Dhar, Prashasti Singh, and Raunaq Rajani also have their moments, each bringing their own unique perspective and style to the challenge.

As the episode progresses, tensions run high as the contestants realize that the stakes are getting higher and the competition is getting tougher. But despite the pressure, there is also a sense of camaraderie among them, with the comedians cheering each other on and offering support even as they compete for the same prize.

In the end, the judges must choose a winner and a loser for the challenge, as well as a "touch play" or standout moment from each contestant's set. The results are both surprising and satisfying, with some contestants rising to the occasion and others struggling to adapt to the unusual challenge.

Overall, "Slide Show with Biswa" is a fun and inventive episode that showcases the talent and versatility of the Comicstaan contestants. It's a testament to the power of improv comedy and the importance of being able to think on your feet as a comedian. And, of course, it's a reminder that even the most seasoned comedians can be thrown off balance by a well-timed (or poorly-timed) slide.